"Ok? Why did you pick that name?" someone asked.

He answered, "Because we're always getting beat!"

Do you ever feel that way about temptation?

Russian novelist Feature Dostoyevsky made the Temptation scene a centerpiece in his master work THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV. Ivan Karamazov calls the Temptation the most stupendous miracle on earth: the miracle of restraint. If he had yielded to the Temptation, Jesus would have been a very popular figure, not just with Satan but with all Israel. He would have established himself beyond dispute. Imagine for a moment - stones turned to bread to feed the hungry, a spectacular descent from the pinnacle of the Temple as the crowds gasped in amazement and awe, political appeasement as the foundation of the Kingdom program rather than righteousness and justice. According to Dostoyevsky's view, Satan offered three easy means of inciting belief - miracle, mystery, and authority - and Christ refused all three. Again I say, I wish we could all be so fortunate.

We are fortunate that, even though we may fall into temptation, through Christ we are forgiven.

God of forgiveness, give me the strength to resist temptation. In Jesus name, Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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